“Well I first joined Team RWB because my husband wanted to be involved, so I went to a couple of meetings with him. Then I completely fall in love with everyone. The fellowship, friendship, and encouragement I received were an answer to a prayer. The relationships that were built in such a short time was almost overwhelming. That is when I knew I had found something truly great and special and I had to hold on to it, nourish it, and run out to tell the world what I had finally found, so they could find it too!”

What has Been Your Favorite Event or Experience with Team RWB?

“My favorite event so far was the Spring Fling Event that the post put together for the children. We set up a table and started the morning off with a 5k and I had the opportunity to run it with my whole family. My husband paced me and together we shaved 20 minuets off of my personal record. After that, I got to spend the afternoon reaching out to all of the new comers in Fort Irwin and tell them about Team RWB and what it has done for me here in the middle of the high desert. I got to encourage them to join, and come to feel the love and support that I have felt since becoming a part of this Eagle family. In this place if you don’t know where to go and when to meet new people you will search forever with no luck to meet new people or make new friends. Team RWB provides an opportunity for us to get out of the house and get together and that is super hard to find on Fort Irwin.”

How Do You Serve Your Community?

“I serve in my local Church community and Family Readiness Group and do my very best to smile at everyone I see. My motto is talking about the influence of one on the many because it is amazing to me how I have seen in my life how much one person smiling at you at the right moment can make a huge difference. It cannot only help you make it through your day, but even though your trials, which we all have. You may even find yourself smiling at someone else and spreading the joy with out even knowing it. I also keep my eyes peeled and my prayers lifted in search of anyone who may need a service that perhaps I can help with. I do wish I could do more and help more but sometimes opening our eyes and our hearts to others in a time when no one else is or can is all that we can do. So until there is more I can do I will keep this up and encourage others to do the same, and hope that that it is enough.“

What Inspires You?

“What inspires me are the people and the hand of God in my life. My family and my friends make a huge impact on my day to day life. Watching them and listening to them and how they deal with life inspires me to not only be a better person but also teaches me about my weaknesses and how I can make them stronger. My husband is a huge inspiration to me! He not only teaches me everyday how I can be happier and count my blessings but he inspires me to raise my expectations of myself but at the same time not too much so my goals are always achievable. My parents are the ones I call everyday, they continue to inspire me to do my best and help me to understand that things are not always as bleak as they may seem. My Heavenly Father inspires me to always be uncomfortable. I have learned in my life that if I am comfortable I am not growing and becoming all that my Heavenly Father wants and knows and hopes I will become in this life. He will guide me and walk beside me and carry me when I can no longer carry myself, until that time when I can walk again.”

How Has Team RWB Impacted Your Life?

“Team RWB has made me a better runner and more active in my life. It has brought new friends in my life that will be forever friends. I have had the privilege of participating in events and sitting at tables where I was able to look into other peoples eyes and give them a message of hope a friendship here in Fort Irwin. When I first moved here, it was my first duty station and I found it near impossible to meet anyone new. It was so sad and lonely and I missed my family and my home town so much. This chapter of Team RWB came into my life and made it possible to have a family wherever I go in the military or out. It has also brought my family closer together as well as we set fitness goals and gain success in our achievements together.“

What Would You Say to Someone Who is Thinking of Joining Team RWB?

“I would say to anyone thinking of joining Team RWB, to do it!! So what if you’re not athletic and so what if you love your couch and tv more than the track! The amount of enrichment you receive from this organization will not only make it worth missing that one episode that you can watch later or that one chapter in your favorite book that will still be there when you get back home, but it will make it so worth your while that I would go as far to say you may learn to actually like doing a jog every so often. I would go as far to say that the friendships gained in this organization run deep and stick for a long time and take it from someone who knows these kinds of bonds you don’t find just anywhere. So if you don’t do it for the burning athlete inside you, do it for the enriched life that the friends bring you. I know you will not regret it. I promise!! “